Beware of misleading pet food names

With the Christmas period now behind us, people up and down the country are coming to the realisation that they may be carrying a little extra unwanted weight.

The same goes for pets, with research showing that owners are more likely to treat their animals with unhealthy snacks over the holiday season.

The battle to beat the flab is therefore a common theme in January, as many people look to improve their diet and also find a healthier pet food to help their furry friends get back in shape.

However, writing for the Reading Eagle, American vet Lee Pickett is warning owners to make sure they read the calorific information on pet food packaging, as names can often be misleading,.

The reason for this is that certain terms, such as 'diet' or 'light', come with strict legal guidelines, whereby manufacturers have to stick to maximum calorie levels in order to be allowed to use these words in the product's name.

Other terms, such as 'weight management' or 'weight control', are often unregulated, meaning manufacturers can use these terms even if the product contains a higher amount of calories than other pet foods.

We would recommend sticking to trusted brands such as Burns or Hills dog and cat food, which have specially-formulated diet products to help your animal get back in shape.